Marriott’s resort in Momi Bay, Fiji, celebrated World Environment Day with a specially commissioned art installation.
The sculpture, designed by local artist, Stanley Joseph, depicted a whale and three dolphins with the message of a fragile ecosystem behind it.
Joseph’s design was intended to raise awareness of the endangered reefs and fragile marine life in Fijian waters, and used broken umbrellas and reinforced steel. The installation was named Taukei Momi, which translates to Guardian of Momi. Joseph said his creation is a way of recycling and removing waste and other dangerous items from the sea.
“As a recycling artist, I hope to address the issue of waste through its reuse in a way that encourages more creative thinking as opposed to the consumerism that has become a plague to the environment.”
The ecosystem theme is familiar to Joseph, having created a similar piece depicting turtles in 2022. General manager of the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, Silvano Dressino, said it was exciting to collaborate with Joseph on this project.
“Showcasing the incredible local talent and culture to our guests provided something that will educate them on the fragility of our local environments,” said Dressino.
Taukei Momi is complete with a light display for evenings and has been submerged in the lagoon area at the resort. Guests can view the installation at any time of the day or night. Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay has partnered with the Mamanuca Environment Society since 2022.
This project began in late 2022 and took over 1,700 hours to complete.
